Determination of Separated Plutonium,Americium and Curium in Environmental Samples by Sequential Extraction Techniques |
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Authors: | Hao Jiang B. Bisplinghoff C. Laue R. Brandt |
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Affiliation: | Kernchemie, F.B. 14, Philipps-Universit?t , Marburg |
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Abstract: | A simple, reliable and practical radiochemical method for sequential isolation and determination of plutonium, americium and curium in a wide variety of environmental samples including soils, river sediments and water was developed. The isotopes determined are: 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 241Am, 242Cm and 244Cm. The methods involve leaching of soil or sedimental samples with concentrated nitric acid using a pressure digestion technique. Subsequent concentration and separation of nuclides of interest from major matrix elements and other interfering alpha-emitters are carried out by coprecipitation with ferric hydroxide and solvent extractions. Sources suitable for alpha-spectrometry are prepared by electrodeposition from acidic ammonium chloride solution. 242Pu and 243Am are used as tracer isotopes of plutonium and americium-curium elements, respectively. Some results of analysis of soils, sediments and water are given. The alpha peaks from 238Pu, 239,240Pu and 242Pu as well as 241Am, 244Cm, 242Cm and 243Am are well resolved. The entire analytical procedures for plutonium, americium and curium are completed in less than sixteen hours. |
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Keywords: | Americium 241 curium 242 curium 244 environmental samples extraction isotope analysis plutonium 238 plutonium 239/240 |
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